Well testing apparatus



HA J. HAMM WELL TESTING APPARATUS Oct. ll, 1932.

Original Filed March 26. 1950 3 00 au i w \\\\\m\\\\\ Y f Z 4 .md f. Y 5 y m w m n M ll 7 W WM 1 W m M E Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HUGH JOHN HAMM, F BEAUMONT, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD T0 GORDON DURR BATEN, 0F BEAUMONT, TEXAS WELL TESTING APPARATUS Application led March 26, 1930, Serial No. 439,159. Renewed June v10, 1932.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in testing oil, gas, or water wells.

It is the general practice, when drilling Wells, to drive a small bit down to the sand strata to be tested. Thereafter a larger bit is used for increasing the size of the drilled hole down to a point within several feet of the bottom thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide testing apparatus which can be inserted into the well and will separate the sand area to betested from the area thereabove, means being employed for directing liuids from the sand into a drill pipe connection used for holding the apparatus in place and receiving the fluid to be tested.

' Another object is to provide apparatus of this type the upper portion of which is adapted to rotate constantly during the testing operation so as to prevent the apparatus from sticking.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. Y n the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.y

In said drawing v Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus in position within the lower end portion 0f a well.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the apparatus.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a tubular valve stem provided at its upper end with a tapered head 2. The passage 3 extends throughout the length of the stem 1 and head 2 and is provided at its upper end with a check valve kan annular flange 8.

and is provided at its lower end with a screen 12. `This screen is of a diameter less than that of the tube 11. That portion of the tube projecting above the plug 9 is screwthreaded for engagement by the sleeve 7 Extending around the stem 1 is a casing 13 which is cylindrical. The upper end of the casing is open, but the lower end 14 is screwed onto the portion 6 of stem 1 where it can be held by a lock nut 15.

A coiled spring 16 is arranged in the housing ror casing 13 and bears at one end against the closed bottom 14 of said casing. The other end of the spring bearsagainst and supports a disk 17 which is thus yieldingly supported in the casing 13.l This disk constitutes the bottom member of a ball bearing. The top member of the bearing is in.

the form of a disk 18 loosely mounted on stem 1 and within housing or casing 13.

Balls 19 are interposed between the disks -17 and 18 for transmitting thrusts therebetween.

Arranged in the upper portion of the casing 13 and about the stem 1 is a ring 20 the upper portion of which is recessed at 21 to provide a tapered seat for the head 2. The upper portion of the ring can also be reduced annularly as at 22 and screwthreaded. A `packing 23 `can be arranged within the ring 20 and around stem 1 to prevent leakage of fluid along the stem and through the ring.

Usually in driving a well a small bit is used until the sand to be tested has been reached. Alarger bit is then used to increase the size of the well down to a point within several feet of the sand to be tested. Thus the well will be produced with a bottom portion of relatively small diameter as shown at A and the remaining portion of larger diameter as shown at B. The drill pipe is connected at 22 to the ring 20 and the apparatus is lowered into the well until the plug 9 comes against the lower end of the large bore B. The plug will become tightly wedged in the well at this point, and the screen 12 will be supported in the sand` to be tested. The weight of the drill pipe will cause the ring 20 to move downwardly relative to the head 2. Thus the port 5 will open between seat 21 and the head 2 and luid rising from the sand being tested will low through the passage 3 to port 5 and thence into the drill pipe 24. It might be stated that the drill pipe is constantly rotated so as to prevent the wall of the well from sticking to it.

After a sulicient quantity of fluid has been directed into the pipe 24 the apparatus is lifted by means of this pipe and as soon as the weight of the pipe is removed from ring 20, said ring will be closed against head 2 by the expanding spring 16. The upward movement of the apparatus will cause the screws 10 to 'be pulled out of the tightly wedged plug 9 and the tube 11 will be pulled upwardly out of the plug, carrying with it the screen 12. The iuid trapped in the pipe 24 will be conveyed upwardly where it can be withdrawn and tested.

The check valve 4 is to be used in emergencies only and will open when subjected to high pressure from above.

By constantly rotating the pipe 24 it can be easil raised and lowered in the well without stic 'ng.

l What is claimed is:

1. A testing apparatus including a stem, a head thereon, a longitudinal passage in the stem opening beneath the head,'a screen connected to the stem, a plug between the screen and stem and separable therefrom by the lifting of the stem relative thereto, a casing adjustably but rigidlymounted on the stem, a seat ring, yielding means in the casing for holding the seat ring normally pressed against the head to close the passage, and a drill pipe detachably engaging the seat ring to produce relative movement of the seat ring and head to control communication between the passage and the drill pipe.

2. A testing apparatus including a stem, a head thereon, a longitudinal passage in the stem opening beneath the head, a screen connected to the stem, a plu between the screen and stem and separa le therefrom by the lifting of the stem relative thereto,

a casing adjustably but rigidly mounted on rlng relative to the head and control communication between the passage and the pipe,

and an anti-friction bearing between the seat ring and said yielding means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aixedmy signature.

HUGH JOHN HAMM. 

